Receptacle



y 1949. R. VAN ROSEN 2,476,253

RECEPTACLE Filed Feb. 5, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 ROBERT VAN R s flf ATTORNEY R. VAN ROSEN July 12, 1949.

REGEP'IACLE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 5, 1948 FIG.7

FIG..5V

INVENTOR. ROBERT VAN ROSEN ATTORNEY Patented July 12, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE,

7 RECEPTACLE Robert Van Rosen, New York, N. Y.

Application February 5, 1948, Serial No. 6,419

Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in receptacles such as boxes, cartons, et cetera, made from any suitable material, especially paper, cardboard, plastic and the like, and more particularly to an improved lock-corner construction for such receptacles.

The invention contemplates a simple yet exceedingly effective and improved lock-corner construction for securing the ends and sides of a box or tray blank in comer-forming relation. It may be employed in receptacles of the various types and forms enumerated, but in all its uses it is characterized by a comer-locking action which is superior to the prior forms of lock-corner construction and is also capable of being set up and unfastened more easily than the prior lock-comer constructions.

The above stated'and other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description taken with the accompanying drawings illustrating the improved lock-corner construction of the invention and certain applications thereof, it being understood that the invention is not limited to the exact details of construction illustrated or to the particular applications suggested.

In said drawings:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the corner portion of a box, carton or tray blank according to the invention;

Fig, 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 illustrating the start of the corner setting-up operation;

Fig. 3 is a similar view illustrating a further development of the corner setting-up operation;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the lock-corner construction of the invention when finally set up or assembled;

Fig. 5 is a plan view, representative of a blank for the box body or cover of a two-piece box or carton employing the improved lock-corner construction of the invention on all corners;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a complete twopiece lock-corner box, both box pieces employing the herein lock corner construction at all corners thereof Fig. 7 is a plan view of the blank for a folded blank box of the integral cover type, illustrating the application of the herein lock-comer construction to two comers thereof;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a box or receptacle assembled from the blank illustrated in Fig.

; and

Fig. 9 is a'view similar to Fig. 1 illustrating a somewhat modified form of lock-corner construction according to the invention.

2 In the partial box blank illustrated in Figs. 1-4, reference numeral l0 designates a main wall sec-.

tion, II a side wall section, and I! an end wall section, of which the main wall section "1' may constitute either the bottom or top wall of a two-piece lock-corner box, or the back or cover be bent upwardly therefrom along a line of fold l3 which may be scored to facilitate such bending. The end wall section I2 is articulated to the end edge of the main wall section so as to bend upwardly therefrom along a line of fold M which may be similarly scored for ease in bending.

As best seen in Figs. 1 vand 2, the free or outer edge of the side wall section I l, i. e. the edge extending parallel to the line of fold I3, is provided with a locking tongue l6 formed as by notching or undercutting said edge so as to provide two spaced notches l1, l8 having substantial width between which the tongue I6 is disposed. It will be observed that the endmost notch l1 extends to and opens through the end edge Ila of the side wall section I l, and that the free or outer edge of the tongue l6 extends flush with the free or outer edge of said side wall section.

Articulated to the end edge of the end wall section I2 is a flap 20 which may have triangular shape, with its free edge 20a being inclined outwardly away from the end edge of the side wall section I l as seen in plan, Fig. 1. At its base, the triangular flap 20 is connected or articulated'to the end wall section l2 so as to bend relatively upwardly therefrom on' fold or junction line 2|, which is preferably scored to facilitate such bending. A slot 22 is provided in the end wall section adjacent the junction or bend line 2|, the slot being slightly ofl'set from the bend line so that the slot opening provided thereby is disposed in the plane of the end wall section. Articulated to the flap 20 along its outer side edge is a wing or extension flap 24 which is adapted to be bent back on said flap 20 along bend or fold line 25 which is preferably scored. A slot 26 is provided in the extension flap 24 which is adapted to register with and receive the locking tongue It as will be described. Preferably, the slot is U-shaped, so that when extension flap 24 is bent back on flap 20, the U-shaping of the slot results in the formation of an upstanding tab 21 which conforms generally to the shape of the locking tongue it. As the score or bend line 25 is not continued across the base or root of the tab 21, said tab is relatively stifl and non-flexible. The wing or extension flap 24 is moreover provided with a holding tab 28 adapted to register with the slot 22. the tab being formed in the straight free edge 24a and extending inwardly (Fig. 1) from the junction of said edge with the angularly related free edge 24b of the flap, which latter edge is preferably curved as shown.

As seen in Fig. 2, the first operation of setting up the corner is that of bending the side wall section I I at a right angle to the main or bottom wall section III. Thereupon. the end wall section I2 is bent at right angles to the main wall section Ill as indicated in Fig. 3, and accordingly the end edge I la of the side wall section I I is disposed adjacent the end edge (bend line 2|) of the end wall section I2 and in corner-forming relation therewith. Next, the flap 20 is bent 'at right angles to the end wall section I2 around the end edge Ila of the side wall section, with the result that bend line 25 coincides generally with the free (now top) edge of said side wall section. Now, the wing or extension flap 24 is bent over the top edge of the side wall section, being turned downwardly on bend line 25 to lie against the inner face of said side wall section. consequent to such in-folding of the extension flap 24 and the registering relation of slot 216 with locking tongue I6, the locking tongue passes through the slot 26 to interlock with the flap combination and thereby positively secures and locks the side and end wall sections in comer-forming relation and against unintentional separation. In a final operation, the extension flap is slid or pushed somewhat rearwardly, i. e. in the direction of the end wall section I2, to cause holding tab 28 to pass into the slot 22 with which it registers, the tab thereupon holding the extension flap 24 against the side wall section II.

To augment the tongue-in-slot locking action aforesaid, the side edges of the notch II! are reversely curved or inclined, so that the notch is narrower at its open than at its base or bottom end. Preferably also, the side edge ofthe looking tongue I6 corresponding to one edge of the notch I8 forms a 90 angle with the bottom edge of the notch and has a rounded corner defining an overhanging nose designated I6a. Accordingly, when the extension flap 24 is bent over the outer or upper free edge of the side wall section II as aforesaid, the web or junction portion connecting flaps 26, 24 in registry with notch I8, seats into said notch with a snap action and. once seated, is prevented from inadvertently passing out of said notch by the overhanging corner I6a of the locking tongue. By reference to Fig. 1, the coinciding side edge of the tongue 21 which corresponds to the aforesaid side edge of the locking tongue may also extend at right angles from the bend line 25.

Preferably, the aforesaid interlocking action is further enhanced by cutting the notches I'I, I8 so that their bottom edges extend on a line which is inclined downwardly by a slight angle from the free or outer edge of the side wall section II in which said notches are formed. Since the. line of fold 25 between flaps 26, 24 coincides with the line containing the base lines of the notches,

' said line of fold or bend 25 is inclined by the same angle from an imaginary line in continuation of the outer or top edge line of the end wall section I 2. Stated in other words, the line of bend 25 is initially formed at right angles to the inclined line of the bottom or base edges of notches l1, l8, so that when the corner is finally set up as in 4 Fig. 4. the bend line 25 between flaps snugly bears against the notch bottom edges.

For certain receptacles, particularly those made from heavy cardboard, the aforesaid inclination of notch bottoms and of bend line 25 may not be necessary and, as indicated in Fig. 9, the line of the bottom edges of the notches I'l, I8 may extend parallel to the free or outer edge of the side wall section II and similarly the line of bend 25 between flap 20 and extension flap 24 may extend on a line in continuation of the outer or free edge of the end wall section [2.

Referrin to Fig. 4, illustrating the lock-corner construction as finally assembled, it will be observed that the stiff tab 21, which conforms to the shape of the locking tongue I6, is disposed relatively outwardly of said locking tongue and in face engagement therewith. Accordingly, the tab 21 masks and reinforces the locking tongue I6 and also takes a substantial, portion of the wear that would otherwise be taken solely by the locking tongue.

A lock-corner construction as described may be employed at all orners of a box or receptacle or for selected corners only thereof. Referring to Figs. 5 and 6, illustrating the improved lockcorner construction applied to all corners of a two-piece box or carton, a blank forming each of the pieces thereof is shown to comprise a main wall section 30, which may be the bottom or cover wall section of one or the other of the box pieces. Articulated to the side edges of the main wall section are sidewall sections 3|. 3Ia and articulated to the end edges thereof are end wall sections 32, 32a. Adjacent each of their corner-forming end edges, the side wall sections are provided with top-edge locking tongues 36 corresponding to the previously described tongue I6. Articulated to the vide a box piece by following the corner-forming operations described in connection with Figs. 1-f1. When the two box parts or pieces have been fully set up, they may be assembled one on the other to provide a complete two-piece box or carton of the type illustrated in Fig. 6 characterized by the employment of the improved lock-corner construction at all eight corners of the two-piece box.

Referring to Figs. 7 and 8, illustrating another application of the improved lock-corner construction in a folded blank box of the integral cover typ wherein the lock-corner construction is employed at only two corners of the box. reference character designates a back wall section having side wall sections 5|, 5Ia articulated to its side edges. Articulated to the upper end edge of the back wall section 50 is a top end section 52 carrying a flap 53 provided on its free end edge with a holding or securing tongue 54. Articulated to the opposite end of the back wall section 56 is a bottom end wall section 55, and articulated-to the longitudinal edge thereof is a front wall member or section 56 having side wall sections 51', 51a articulated thereto along its side edges. Articulated to the other end edge of the front wall'section 56 is a top end wall section 58. The front wall section 55 is provided with a lockin loop member 60, with which the holding or securing tongue 54 is adapted to be cooperated, as more fully disclosedin my patent application Serial No. 709,716, filed November 14. 1946, now abandoned. v

In a box madefrom the blank illustrated in Fig. 7, the lock-corner construction of the invention may be applied to the corners defined by the adjacent end edges of the side wall sections, 51,

51a and of the top end wall section 58 of the box ing to the slot 26 which registers with an associated locking tongue 66 and through which the locking tongue is adapted to be projected in setting up of the corner.

To facilitate setting up a box from the Fig. 7 form of blank, one-way flap hinges generally designated 59, 59a are provided between the aligned side wall sections Ill, 51 and 51a, 51a, such hinges insuring intended disposition of side wall section 51 over the related side wall section and of side wall section 51a over related side wall 1 section tile, in assembling the blank to form the box.

To assemble a box from a blank as illustrated in Fig. '7, the two corners having the improved lock-corner construction herein contemplated are first interlocked and thereupon the front or cover wall section 56 is swung over to parallel the back wall section 50. Thereupon, the flap 53 is brought forwardly over the box front and the securing tongue 54 is inserted through the loop 60. During such assembly operation, the one-way hinges 59, 59a insure proper in-folding of the side wall sections 5|, 5m and there results a box as gen- .erally indicated in Fig. 8. To prevent outward bulging of the sides of the box under the weight or pressure of its contents, the related side wall sections 5|, 51 and 5la, 51a may'be provided with complemental stiffening tongues and slots designated 18, 18a which coact to lock the overlapped side wall sections intermediate their ends.

Various changes may be made in shape, size, dimensions and arrangement of parts without departing from the inv ntion which is not limited to the specific details of construction.

I claim:

1. In a receptacle; a main wall, angularly related walls articulated to the side and end edges of the main wall and having adjacent end edges meeting to form a corner, and corner-locking means comprising a locking tongue projecting from the outer free edge of one of said angularly related walls adjacent said end edge, said tongue being defined bytWO spaced notches provided in said outer free edge, a flap articulated to said end edge of the other of said angularly related walls, said flap extending around said end edge of and overlyin the outer face of and folding over said outer free edge of said one wall, the fold-over portion of said flap having a tonguereceiving slot intermediate its ends, said locking tongue projecting through said slot, and the unslotted ends of said fold-over portion seated in said spaced notches.

2. In a receptacle, a main wall, angularly related walls articulated to the side and end edges of the main wall and having adjacent end edges meeting to form a. corner, and corner-locking means comprising a locking tongue projecting from the outer free edge of one of said angularly related walls adjacent said end edge, a-flap articulated to said end edge of the other of said walls, said flap extendin from said last-named end edge to said outer free edge of said one wall and overlapping the outer face thereof, and an extension flap articulated to the first-named flap along a line of junction corresponding substantially to the line of the upper free edge of said one wall, and being folded over said latter edge and lying against the inner face of said one wall, said first-named flap having a tongue-receiving slot adjacent said line of junction, and said locking tongue projecting through said slot.

3. In a receptacle, a main wall, angularly related walls articulated to the side and end edges of the main wall and having adjacent end edges meeting to form a corner, and corner-locking means comprising a locking tongue projecting from the outer free edge of one of said angularly related walls adjacent its end edge, said tongue being defined by two spaced notches provided in said outer free edge, a flap articuated to said end edge of the other of said angularly related walls, said flap extending from said last-named en'd edge to said outer free edge of said one wall and overlapping the outer face thereof, and an extension flap articulated to the first-named flap along a junction line corresponding substantially to the line of the outer free edge of said one wall and being folded over said latter edge to lie against the inner face of said one wall, said firstnamed flap having a tongue-receiving slot adjacent said line of junction and intermediate the ends thereof, said locking tongue projecting through said slot, and the unslotted junction line portion of the flaps seating in said edge notches.

4. A lock-corner construction for a receptacle as set forth in claim 1, wherein the bottom edges of the notches provided in the free outer edge of said one wall extend on a line which is inclined downwardly from said edge line, and wherein the fold-over portion of said flap is articulated to the flap proper on a bend line which is correspondingly inclined.

5. A lock-corner construction for a receptacle as set forth in claim 3, wherein the bottom edge line of the notches provided in the free outer edge of said one wall is inclined downwardly from the line of said edge, and the line of junction between said flaps is correspondingly inclined,

6'. A lock-corner construction for a receptacle as set forth in claim 2, wherein said other wall is provided with a slot adjacent its line of junction with the first-named flap, and the extension flap is provided along a free edge thereof with a holding tab which registers with and projects through said slot.

'7. A lock-comer construction for a receptacle as set forth in claim 3, wherein said other wall is provided with a slot adjacent its line of junction with the first-named flap, and the extension flap is provided along a free edge thereof with a holding tab which registers with and projects through said slot.

'8. In a lock-corner construction for receptacles having angularly related side and end walls whose adjacent end edges meet to form a corner, the combination of a locking tongue formed in the upper edge of the side wall adjacent its corner-forming edge, and a flap articulated to the corner-forming edge of the end wall and overamuse terminating in a holding flap lying against the inner race of said side well, said flap havinz a slot in its fold-over portion which registers with and receives the locking tongue.

9. A lock-corner construction for a receptacle as set forth in claim 8, wherein the side edge of the locking tongue remote from the corner is angled to provide an overhanging corner with which the told-over portion of the flap interlocks.

10. A lock-comer construction for a. receptacle a8 set-forth in claim 8, wherein a. free edge of the holding flap coincides substantially with the corner line and is formed with a proiecting tab. 15

I and wherein the eudwall is provided adjacent its corner-forming end edge with a. slot through which the tab projects.

ROBERT VAN ROSEN.

nnmnnncns The following references are of record in the tile of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,352,833- Robinson Sept. 14, 1920 

